Category Archives: Door County

Door County – Dec ’08 Photos Posted

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Cave Point 003What few photos I was able to take from Friday have now been posted.  You can check them out on Flickr at our Door County – Dec ’08 photo set.

As we had anticipated, there was quite a bit of snow already on the ground when we arrived. Friday was a very nice day, although it was terribly cold with temps only in the teens. Clear skies and only a brisk wind at times on Friday made for some good shooting conditions.
Saturday, however, was a different story altogether. The winds really picked up, and by Friday evening, it was snowing again. And is snowed all night and much of Saturday morning. It tapered off a little bit in the afternoon, but then the winds picked up. 30+ mph winds with gusts going up to 50 mph!  Bruttle for me to try and stay outside long enough to take more photos.
Anyway, take a peek and let me know what you think.

Door County – Dec 7th, 2008

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It has been a nice weekend, even though it has been too cold for my taste. I love being up here, and definitely will come back, but I’m not sure if I will come back to Door County during the winter months. You could tell it is the off season in Door County. I did some Christmas shopping, in Fish Creek, and the shops on Jefferson St in Sturgeon Bay. Had pizza at our favorite pizzeria, did some driving. We drove up to Northport pier where you catch the ferry to Washington Island, and took some photos of the lake and snow covered trees. Drove up to Whitefish Dunes State Park, where Kris was able to take photos. We had brunch at Alexanders in Fish Creek, before going home.

It was nice to get away because looking at our calendar, it is going to be a busy one for the Nelson’s until we leave for Maui on 2/15.

Door County – Dec 6th, 2008

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Looks like Sister Bay got some snow overnight. I woke up to about an additional 1″ of snow on the ground. I thought it was going to be a cold day, even though it is windy outside temp wise it isn’t too bad, definitely warmer then it was yesterday. Before going to Sturgeon Bay, we stopped at a store in Fish Creek called Lower Deck, (store is famous for their fleece shirts, sweaters, etc,) and picked up couple more Christmas gifts. It took us about an hour to get to Sturgeon Bay. Once we were in town we walked around the shops on Jefferson St and 3rd Ave. I was able to find something for my uncle at this local winery store called Simon Creek and find a gift at the Door County Confectionery. It was a very successful trip.

After walking around we stopped at the Inn at Cedar Crossing for lunch. After lunch we drove back to the lodge and relaxed. Since I was able finish my Christmas shopping up here, it is a good feeling to say I am finished. Now I just have to address my Christmas cards.

We decided we were going to be in for the night, but before we are in we went to the Sister Bay Bowl and supper club for dinner. Then we came back to the lodge, relaxed and listened to the Hawks vs Red Wings game.

Tomorrow we are leaving, but before we leave we are going to brunch to Alexanders in Fish Creek.

Door County – Dec 5th, 2008

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Good morning from the Scandinavian Lodge in Sister Bay, where the sun is shining, but don’t let that fool you, the temps are cold.

Today’s a day of driving and shopping for Christmas gifts. If you continue to read this you will see if shopping for Christmas gifts was accomplished. Here we go!!!!!

We started the day by driving south on Hwy 57. Now Hwy 57 south is along stretch of highway with some stores and that’s about it. We passed Baileys Harbor and some other areas before we stopped at Whitesish Dunes State Park.

Whitefish Dunes State Park is an 863 acre day use. It is a park which offers hiking, and picnicking, in warmer months, and cross country skiing, snowshoeing, and snowmobiling in the winter months. You get beautiful views of Michigan , Clark Bay, and Whitefish Bay (when it is warm enough to hike).

Kris and I thought it would be cool and adventurous to hike along one of trails by the nature center, and shoreline until I said, “it is too cold and windy to do this.” so I headed back to the car, but Kris was able to take some photos of the shoreline, and the snow covered trees. Along the state park, we also also stopped at the Cave Point County Park, where Kris was able to take some more photos of the lake and snow covered trees.

We continued to drive north on Hwy 57 toward Fish Creek and Sister Bay. Kris was able to take some more photos. We stopped in Fish Creek and went to the Fish Creek Market to pick up deli sandwiches. After lunch we walked around and looked in couple stores to get ideas on a couple of Christmas gifts. After walking around we stopped at the Blue Horse Cafe and enjoyed White Mocha, and a Hot chocolate, before doing some more driving.

We drove north on Hwy 42 and we stopped at the Ephraim Public Beach and took pictures of the shoreline. Even though it was cold and windy it was nice to take photos of the shoreline and lake when it is just starting to freeze over. Another few weeks there will actually be people swimming in that cold water in the annual polar bear plunge in Jacksonport. I Don’t know why anyone would want to do that. I personally haven’t seen it, only on the news, but my aunt and uncle come up here every year around New Years, and it is one of the things/events they go to while here.

We continued north on Hwy 42 until we couldn’t drive anymore. The road ended at Northport Pier before you got on a ferry and went over to Washington Island. Kris took some more photos. From Sturgeon Bay to Northport it is about a 45 minute drive. We turned around and headed south on 42 through Ellison Bay and other neighboring communities. On the way back we stopped at the Tannenbaum Holiday Shop in Sister Bay and did some Christmas shopping.

We came back to the lodge and relaxed before we went to the Mission Grille in Sister Bay for dinner. Atmosphere outside was cold, windy and snowy but the atmosphere inside the restaurant was casual, but charming, warm and pleasing. It was a perfect end to a perfect day.

Yes I was able to find Christmas gifts for my grandfather and a friend of mine. Tomorrow when we go into Sturgeon Bay, and look in the shops on Jefferson St. I will find something for my uncle and be done with Christmas shopping for 2008.

Door County – Dec 4th, 2008

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Before I get started and tell you how our trip is going, my aunt and uncle, and grandparents have been coming up here over 25 years now. They would tell me they are going up to Door County, and for the longest time, I thought it was Doora County, and not Door County. So yes I have been adding an A and saying, “Doora County,” I thought that was interesting. Now this is our second trip up here I will make sure I pronounce it correctly.

Kris and I are staying at the “Scandinavian Lodge,” located in Sister Bay. The Scandinavian Lodge welcomes you with a rustic, cabin, serene, Scandinavian, historical, romantic feel to the lodge.

Kris and I arrived at the Scandinavia Lodge (with sunny skies, but the cold air to greet us) around, 3:30pm. We stopped at, you ready for this, a Target before we checked in.

I’m going to rewind little bit. We left around 10:30am and the drive was a pleasant one. Sunny skies, cold, with some snow on the ground. It was about 12:15pm when we stopped in Sheboygan to eat lunch. Sheboygan had more snow cover on the ground. Maybe 2-4 inches. I was surprised to see that much snow on the ground. We got back on the road close to 1:00pm, and arrived in Door County about 2:30pm. Like I mentioned earlier we stopped at Target first.

Driving along Hwy 42 and through Egg Harbor, and the other towns was different. There weren’t many cars driving along 42 when we were here in September, but the atmosphere was different.

You could tell it is off season, some of the shops and resorts are closed for the season. It’s quiet people are not walking around (as much).

Arrived at the Scandinavian Lodge, around 3:30pm Kris and I relaxed, and got settled in before we went driving around town. It was nice to see some of the shops and houses decorated for Christmas. Nice to look at the water and some of the piers and beaches at night. After driving around, we went to this little pizzeria and gelato bar named Jo Joe’s we found in Ephraim when we were here in September.

After dinner we came back to the lodge relaxed by the fireplace, with a cappuccino, and listening to my iPod. You could relax at home in front of your own fireplace with a cappuccino, and some music, but I think it’s more relaxing, maybe because I think the atmosphere is different.

Even though it is a lot colder, and I can not stand the cold, and their is a quieter atmosphere then when we were up here in September. I think it will be a nice weekend. By the end of the trip I will let you know if I would like to come up here during the winter months again.